You Could Be Fined 5K For Driving Too Close To Cyclists

Similar Law Already Active In Australia

Motorists that drive too closely to cyclists could be handed on-the-spot fines of up to £5,000.

Maybe In The Future

The Independent reported that in a written response to a parliamentary question, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said: “The introduction of a legally enforceable minimum passing distance between cyclists and other vehicles in South Australia is relatively recent. As a result, there is limited information available regarding the impacts both positive and negative following this change in the law. As with other changes of this type introduced overseas, we remain interested in the change and are keeping it under review.”

Highway Code

The current guideline leaves a lot of room for interpretation and doesn’t state a specific distance. As the Highway Code says motorists must allow “plenty of room”, when overtaking cyclists.

Unenforceable According To RAC

According to the RAC website, David Bizley, RAC Chief Engineer has said: “The dwindling number of road traffic police officers meant the plan would be difficult to carry out in practice”. With Bizley commenting: “Many motorists are also cyclists, and are all too aware of their responsibilities whether on two wheels or four. The question is whether Government resources would be better allocated to running road safety campaigns that educate all road users about how to use shared road space safely and responsibly. Where possible, we are in favour of physical segregation between cyclists and motorists in the form of cycle lanes, based on local demand for cycling and where collision risks are high, in order to best ensure cyclists’ safety.”